Control Based on Priority Pest
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Pest Control Based on Most Problem Pest
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Growers have multiple pests that need to be controlled. Deciding when to treat and with what gets complicated. The pest control color wheel illustrates the various treatment windows for the different pests. Some pests, like the rosette bud mite (RBM), have a very narrow window for control. Therefore, it is the first pest to consider. If you have RBM, read through “Focus on rosette bud mite control” first. Control of virtually all other pests except for fall treatment of Cinara aphids can occur during the treatment window for RBM.
If you don’t have RBM, the second pest to consider is elongate hemlock scale (EHS). For treatment options for EHS control plus all other pests, see “Focus on elongate hemlock scale control.” Again, you can control all pests while controlling EHS.
The third pest to consider is balsam woolly adelgid (BWA). These can be controlled virtually any time of year.
If you don’t have RBM, EHS or BWA but are nearing harvest, then control of Cinara and twig aphids because most important.
Mite control can be added on any time other pests are being controlled except during the winter months. The focus on mite control page has information on miticides and when they should be added.

- Focus on rosette bud mite control — If rosette bud mites are your problem, look no further for the control of all pests except Cinara aphids in market size trees.
- Focus on elongate hemlock scale control — If you don’t have rosette bud mites but do have elongate hemlock scale, look here for control of all your pests.
- Focus on balsam woolly adelgid control — No rosette buds or scales but you do have woollies? Look here for control.
- Focus on aphid control — Nearing harvest? RBM, EHS and BWA not a problem? Then the balsam twig aphid and Cinara aphids are your number one concern.
- Focus on mite control — Mite control can be added on any time other pests are being controlled. Look here for added information on mite control.